Junior QB Jared Montanez will start against Deming Friday

The junior quarterback will start for Carlsbad High School against Deming at 7 p.m. Friday, as CHS is waiting on official MRI results on senior quarterback Kaleb Steven's left knee.

Stevens had the MRI Tuesday afternoon, coach Ron Arrington said.

Arrington said that Stevens is now walking without crutches. Stevens' knee swelled up a little bit over the weekend, but is now diminishing. Stevens also has full range of motion in his knee again, according to Arrington.

Stevens injured his knee in last Friday's season-opener against El Paso Americas. He rushed for a big gain and was tackled at the Americas 11-yard-line when he got hurt.

Stevens missed the entire 2013 season after he tore his ACL in the same knee in last year's opening scrimmage.

However, Arrington said it appears Stevens did not reinjure his left ACL, again.

There's no definitive timeline when CHS will get a confirmed diagnosis.

Montanez, also known as "ice cream," played quarterback for the rest of last Friday game after Stevens left and did not return.

Montanez may not be as mobile as Stevens, but Montanez has a bigger frame.

"That valuable experience he got Friday night, we're excited for him," Arrington said of Montanez. "We're excited that he got in there and got a taste of it. Jared will do well."

Current-Argus Sports Editor Matt Hollinshead may be reached at 575-628-5518.

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Carlsbad senior quarterback Kaleb Stevens with a big rushing gain just before he injured his left knee against Americas last Friday. Stevens wore No. 56 to honor injured teammate Aaron Kirkes. Stevens had an MRI Tuesday. (Matt Hollinshead Current-Argus)